The U.S. Air Force Academy is reportedly requiring incoming cadets to watch a video that promotes Black Lives Matter.
The video, first reported by the Washington Examiner, shows a hypothetical scenario where two students, Rae and Madison, pressure a fellow student of mixed background, José, to attend an on-campus Black Lives Matter meeting. A third individual, Jeff, then meets Jose and says he is surprised José doesn’t look “more south of the border.”
Jose then explains he is of Mexican and Nigerian descent, prompting Jeff to criticize the Black Lives Matter movement.
“No offense, but it seems like all lives matter would be a better way to bring people together,” she says. “Because black lives aren’t the only lives that matter. It just seems like you’re saying dad’s family matters less than your mom’s.”
Cadets are then given three options to choose from on how to respond to that comment. (RELATED: School Board In Oregon Votes To Ban BLM, Pride Flags)
One option says “tell José to share his perspective with Jeff about why Black Lives Matter is important.” When that option is chosen, Rae and Madison tell José to explain what Black Lives Matter is. The two people then apologize for expecting José to do the work of “educating Jeff.”
The second option has Rae scolding Jeff for his “clueless” and “racist” comments.
The final option is engaging in a discussion with Jeff about his comments. During the explainer for the third option, Madison explains how she read a piece that really helped her understand Black Lives Matter, saying that claiming “all lives matter is like the fire department showing up at your house when its burning down and spraying down the house across the street instead of yours because all houses matter.” This is a viral social media trope.
Rae chimes in and emphasizes Madison’s point. Jeff apologizes and José agrees that was the best option.
Air Force Academy spokesman Dean Miller confirmed to the Washington Examiner that the video is part of required training for incoming cadets.
“This is the first year this training has been used, and it is used at universities across the country.”
Debate over whether the military is promoting critical race theory (CRT) and other political movements has risen in recent weeks, with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley defending the teaching of the theory in June. CRT holds that America is fundamentally racist, yet it teaches people to view every social interaction and person in terms of race. Its adherents pursue “antiracism” through the end of merit, objective truth and the adoption of race-based policies.
“I do think it’s important for those of us in uniform to be open-minded and be widely read … It is important that we train and we understand. And I want to understand white rage and I’m white and I want to understand it.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin later said in July it was “really important” the military remains “apolitical.”